In March of 2026, Americorps SolarCorps Fellows from across the country gathered in sunny San Diego to mark the halfway point of their 11-month fellowship program at GRID. Despite most fellows being based all throughout California, “this is the first time that all the fellows are together, seeing each other in person, and being able to connect,” said Sammi Chan, the Senior Program Coordinator who played a central role in organizing the four-day retreat alongside Laura Hirshfield, National SolarCorps Director, and Sara Shobeiri, a former GRID employee.
Leading up to the retreat, Fellows participated in virtual gatherings to build their community and peer network. “It really helps fellows to see other professionals with similar backgrounds, especially in an industry that GRID wants to make more diverse,” Sammi shared.
Through the SolarCorps Fellowship program, GRID IE provides a full-time, 11-month, real-world experience for community members interested in pursuing careers in the climate action movement.
To inspire Fellows about the wide range of career possibilities ahead, a panel of leaders from across the clean energy sector, including former GRID staff, were invited to sit down with the Fellows and offer personal insights and career guidance.
During the resume workshop, Fellows paired up with clean energy professionals to review their resumes, discuss career goals, and build lasting connections, both in person and through networking platforms like LinkedIn.
“This is the whole reason I'm here. To develop my career and take advice from the experts,” said Wisam Kalyana, a SolarCorps Workforce Fellow based out of GRID SoCal’s San Diego office. Wisam is planning to pursue a full-time role at GRID or use the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, a post-service benefit that pays for future education costs for AmeriCorps participants, to explore a career as an electrician.
Beyond networking at the retreat, Wisam has been eager to absorb as much knowledge as possible from his Workforce Team. Before his fellowship, he described himself as “an introvert who would not have done an interview,” and credits his growing confidence to his supportive team members in San Diego, who “put their heart into the work they do,” along with his mom, who has been instrumental in establishing their lives in the US since emigrating from Iraq.
For Heidy Garcia, a SolarCorps Construction Fellow working out of GRID SoCal’s office in Los Angeles, the fellowship and retreat have been a reminder that “the direction I’m heading down is a good one.” After experiencing a knee injury earlier in the program, Heidy shifted her focus and enrolled in school to earn an associate's degree in science and obtain her ET card. “My ultimate goal is to achieve financial stability and generational wealth for me and my two sons,” she shared, emphasizing the importance of inner-strength, self-compassion, and self-trust, especially as a woman in a male-dominated field.
“Even though I can’t be in the field, I'm gaining all these skills that I would not have normally gotten as a Construction Fellow,” Heidy added, noting her recent exploration of GRID’s project management process, her studies, and the growing appreciation for the collaborative culture that GRID nurtures.
For David-Zedekiah Perez, a SolarCorps Community Outreach Fellow based at GRID SoCal’s Riverside office, the retreat provided valuable insights into his personal development and career path.
“One thing that stood out to me was the roles of Equity, Liberation, Justice, and Solidarity that were shared with us, which included the sub-roles: Weavers, Experimenters, Frontline Responders, Visionaries, Builders, Caregivers, Disrupters, Healers, Storytellers, and Guides,”David-Zedekiah said. This exercise helped him better understand his strengths, where he wants to grow, and the roles to consider as he moves forward in his career.
Looking ahead, he plans to take advantage of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to further his education and expand his skillset. “I want to stay in the non-profit space and will most likely continue to focus on energy because it seems right for me.”
After a week of thoughtful discussions about the clean energy industry, productive career planning, and strengthened connections during bowling nights and beach trips, Fellows returned home with a deeper understanding of how their current roles and future careers can shape climate resiliency in their communities. We are excited to continue watching your transformations and look forward to where you’ll be at the end of your fellowships!